Cory Band has announced the shortlist for the RWCMD / Cory Composition Prize 2018. The three compositions will form part of the concert to be held in the college’s Dora Stoutzker Hall in Cardiff on Saturday 26th May, and the winner will be announced following the judges’ deliberations on the night.

The three shortlisted compositions are:

Bop! by Matthew Shaw

Autumn Hill by Stephen Wood

The Spirit of St Louis by Andrew Wainwright

Speaking about the shortlisting process, Cory Band Musical Director Philip Harper said: “Once again we had much interest in our competition, which seeks to generate new concert material for brass band. The quality of entries this year was the highest we have had since the prize was first awarded in 2015 and this made it particularly difficult to narrow the list down to just three works. Nevertheless, sticking closely to the conditions of our brief, I have chosen three works which will be enjoyed by our audience, and will also be accessible by many other bands. The winning piece will be recorded by Cory and published by Wright and Round, so we are looking for something with real staying power!”

The three judges who will be joining Philip Harper in choosing the winner will be Liz Lane, John Wallace and Nigel Seaman. The evening will also provide an opportunity to hear the new composition As Above, So Below by Scottish composer Jay Capperauld for brass band and brass quintet, in which Cory Band will be joined by The Wallace Collection. Philip Harper commented: “We’re looking forward to sharing the stage with such an internationally-acclaimed group, so if you support new music for brass, then get yourself along to what will be a very exciting concert.”